 Takayuki Ogawachi

 Staff Witnessed It! Behind the Scenes of Weekly TV

 Prompted by Kuruma Takahira’s departure, Yoshimoto has introduced new rules. Contracts will be terminated if an artist cannot be contacted for four weeks, and the agency will take a 20% cut of TikTok earnings. Some young talents are even considering going independent. Amid a string of social media controversies, agencies are tightening their oversight.

“New Yoshimoto Rule?” Agencies Consider 20% Cut of TikTok Earnings as SNS Controls Tighten

 Kazuhiko Nakamura

 On June 16, the wake for actress Tamao Nakamura (aged 86) was held at the Kirigaya Funeral Hall in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. What did the big-name celebrities who attended reveal about the true nature of this beloved national actress during her lifetime?

Akashiya Sanma, Akiko Wada Among Mourners Sharing Memories of Tamao Nakamura

 On June 13, the awards ceremony for the international music awards “MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026” (MAJ) was held, bringing together artists from Japan and abroad. HANA, MISAMO, and Mrs. made surprise appearances.

HANA Steals the Show, Mrs. GREEN APPLE Shocks with Surprise Appearance at “MAJ” Awards

 Sota Shima

  Unthinkable in the SMAP Days! Enjoying Yakitori and High-End Clubs…

 Goro Inagaki appeared in Ginza in the evening—even with a hat on and his eyes hidden behind sunglasses, he couldn’t quite hide his star power. Enjoying yakitori and high-end clubs… something unthinkable during his SMAP days: a tipsy bar-hopping spree lasting a total of 6 hours!

Gorō Inagaki Seen in High Spirits on Six-Hour Ginza Bar Crawl, Embracing Bachelor Life

 Michio Kurose

 Special Interview

 Actress Akiko Sendō has appeared in numerous hit dramas, including *Tokyo Love Story* and *If I Look Back, There He Is*. Once known as the “Queen of School Festivals” and a “trendy actress,” she has now moved her base to Hokkaido, where she continues her career.

35 Years After Tokyo Love Story, Akiko Sendō Is Thriving as a Trendy Auntie in Hokkaido

 Yuri Adachi

 Special Entertainment Research Project [Part 2]

 Power struggles unfold in every kind of organization, from private companies to the political arena. But which dramas based on these power struggles are truly worth watching? From politics and business to police organizations... we introduce the masterpieces selected by experts!

Inside the Battle for Power: The Best Dramas About Ambition, Loyalty, and Survival

 Jiji Press (2nd photo) Sota Shima (3rd photo)

 Special Entertainment Research Feature [Part 1]

 Power struggles unfold in every kind of organization, from private companies to the political arena. But which dramas based on these power struggles are truly worth watching? We interviewed six drama experts to select their top recommendations.

Their Greatest Enemy Isn&#8217;t the Competition—It&#8217;s the Organization Itself

 Takahiko Kohiyama

 Kotaro Yoshida stars in the film *License Return?!*, set for release on June 19. From behind-the-scenes stories with co-star and silver-screen legend Hiroshi Tachi to the roots of his acting career—we take a closer look at the true face of a man who continues to thrive as both an actor and a director.

&#8220;Stage and Screen Are Completely Different&#8221;—Kotaro Yoshida Reflects on 50 Years of Acting

 Breaking New Ground as an “Adulterous Wife” in a Series of Explicit Love Scenes

 "I actually wanted to be a classic idol," reveals Mariko Shinoda, who was a core member of AKB48. She spoke to us about her "burnout syndrome," the turning points she faced, and her current state of mind as she breaks new ground as an actress following her graduation.

&#8220;Mariko-sama Never Felt Like Me&#8221;—Mariko Shinoda Opens Up About Life as an AKB48 Icon

 The trial of a Chinese man accused of pickpocketing on a JR Yamanote Line train was held on June 4 at the Tokyo District Court. Police have recently been monitoring a Chinese pickpocketing ring that comes to Japan posing as tourists to commit crimes. The man had visited Japan four times previously.

Was a Pickpocket Ring Behind It? The Bizarre Courtroom Behavior of a Chinese Defendant

 Koichiro Umeki

 Yasuhisa Kikuchi

 My Personal Commitment to Gravure... My 3rd Photo Book, Brimming with the "Mature Allure" of My 30s, Is Coming Soon! We Reveal the True Face of the Super-Popular M-League Player Who Continues to Captivate Fans as a TV Personality and Professional Mahjong Player

 We reveal the true face of Kana Nakata, the ultra-popular M-League player who continues to captivate fans as both a TV personality and professional mahjong player! Her third photo book, brimming with the “mature allure” befitting her 30s, is set for release. She expressed her hope that fans will see her “personal commitment to gravure.”

&#8220;I Want People to See My New Curves&#8221;—Kana Nakada Talks About Her Latest Photo Shoot

 While WEST.'s Junta Nakama's fan meeting in Taiwan and Terushi Kiriyama's work at a café have been making headlines, some fans are expressing confusion, saying that "their idol-like qualities have faded."

Confusion Surrounds &#8216;WEST.&#8217; for Becoming &#8216;Idols You Can Meet&#8217;&#8230; Why Fans Are So Reluctant to Take &#8216;Two-Shot Photos&#8217;

 Born in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1962. He is active as part of the comedy duo "Honjama-ka" with Toshiaki Megumi. In addition to variety shows such as "Genso! Debuya" (TV TOKYO network), he is also active as an actor and voice actor. Currently, he appears as the Friday MC on "Yojigoji Days" (TV TOKYO network) and is also focusing on YouTube and Instagram.

 Hidehiko Ishizuka

 "Honjama-ka" Hidehiko Ishizuka's "Maiu~" Days Vol. 51

 "Honjama-ka" Hidehiko Ishizuka's "Maiu~" Days Vol. 51. This time, we hear stories about Ishizuka's location work. Starting with visits to mansions, Ishizuka has experienced a wide variety of shoots, including gourmet tours and travel shows. Here are some entertaining anecdotes!

It all started with a visit to a mansion&#8230; Before I knew it, &#8220;Wow!&#8221; had become my catchphrase: &#8220;Field Work and Me&#8221; by Hidehiko Ishizuka of &#8220;Honjama-ka&#8221;

 Ippei Hara

 Shinji Saito, a former member of “Jungle Pocket,” is on trial for charges including indecent assault and non-consensual sexual intercourse. Although his reputation within the industry was not bad, none of his colleagues have appeared in court as character witnesses. Furthermore, his wife, Saori Seto…

&#8220;It Wasn&#8217;t One-Sided&#8221;: The &#8220;Distance&#8221; Between Former Janpoke Member Shinji Saito and His Wife, Saori Seto, Who &#8220;Defended&#8221; Him

 Keisuke Nishi

 Shortly after 11 p.m. in early June, a man and a woman entered a Chinese izakaya tucked away in a back alley in the city center one after another. They were Kento Nagao of "Naniwa Danshi" and Rio Inagaki, formerly of "E-girls." Their demeanor suggested an extraordinary level of intimacy—!

Love Scoop! Kento Nagao and Former E-girls Star Rio Inagaki Enjoy Low-Key Izakaya Date

 Aika Kanda

 [Series No. 118] Me, Pink, and Sometimes NY

 The first time I truly felt like I was becoming an adult was during the winter of my senior year of high school. “Let’s go on a graduation trip!” I said, and visited Sapporo with my classmates. Early last month, I walked the streets of Sapporo for the first time in 27 years. I wonder what kind of person I’ll be the next time I visit.

&#8220;Sapporo Links Who I Was at 18 and Who I Am Today&#8221;—Ai Kanda Reflects on a Lifelong Connection

 Kumatarō Arai

 Filming for the TBS July drama series *Until the T-Shirt Dries* took place in mid-May at a coin laundry in Tokyo, where we spotted lead actress Yu Aoi just before filming began. Amidst the comings and goings of the staff, Aoi never once let her intensely focused expression waver.

Yu Aoi Returns to Primetime After 18 Years—Exclusive Look at Her Fully Immersed on Set

 Shinji Hasuo

 Arashi" ended its activities on May 31. Behind the scenes of Arashi's last concert, there was some bargaining between the Arashi side and the media. ......

Inside Arashi&#8217;s Farewell Concert—The Real Reason for the Strict Media Blackout

 Kyodo News (2nd), Nishi Keisuke (4th)

 The MAJ ceremony will be held on June 13, where the best works and artists will be announced along with performances by the major artists. The absence of Mrs. M., who is the star of the show, has been controversial, but now we have some shocking information!

Fans Buzzing After Shocking Report Suggests Mrs. GREEN APPLE May Crash MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN

 The "queen of school festivals" and "trendy actor"...Akiho Sendo has appeared in numerous hit dramas such as "Tokyo Love Story" and "Look Back and You'll See Him". She tells us why she moved to Hokkaido and how she made her debut in the entertainment industry.

A Lost Kiss With Yosuke Eguchi and a New Life in Hokkaido—Akiho Sendo Speaks Out

 Takehiko Kohiyama

 Yoko Fuseya (ESPER)

 Shingo Tsuno (IMPIGER)

 SUM1 STYLE (Smith Style) DoCLASSE

 More than 30 years since her big break as an actor in a McDonald's commercial

 More than 30 years have passed since Kumiko Endo got her big break in a McDonald's commercial, and she has grown as an actor... When her acting did not go well in her first drama role and she almost lost her confidence, she says that Kenichi Hagiwara's casual words eased her mind.

&#8220;His Words Changed My Life&#8221;—Kumiko Endo Reflects on the Advice From Kenichi Hagiwara That Led Her to Love Acting

 Hirotsuru Fujiyama

 Gotha Suzuki

 Reina Kato, a supernova who has graced numerous magazines since her debut in January of this year, has finally made her appearance on the cover of this week's issue! We asked her how she became a star after being a nursing student until recently!

 Since her debut in January of this year, this supernova has graced numerous magazines... and now she is celebrating her first appearance in FRIDAY! I was really surprised! --She was a nursing student until recently, so how did she become a star? We asked her how she became a star!

&#8220;There&#8217;s Only One Time for This&#8221;—Rena Kato Opens Up About Her Life as a Rising Gravure Star

 On June 1, the Tokyo District Court heard the first trial of Def Tech's Micro, who is accused of violating the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law by possessing dried marijuana and using cocaine. Here is what he had to say at the trial.

&#8220;I Turned Pale When I Saw the Budokan&#8221;—Prosecutors Seek Two-Year Prison Term in Def Tech&#8217;s Micro Cocaine Case

 From a member of a popular idol group to an actress with a string of offers to play a unique "villain

 Mariko Shinoda, who suffered from a gap between herself and those around her in the popular idol group "AKB48," lost sight of her goals after graduation, and suffered from "burnout syndrome..." Despite her many difficulties, she has made the leap to become an actress with a succession of offers to play unique "villainous" roles, and speaks candidly about her career.

Entertainment

“New Yoshimoto Rule?” Agencies Consider 20% Cut of TikTok Earnings as SNS Controls Tighten

Akashiya Sanma, Akiko Wada Among Mourners Sharing Memories of Tamao Nakamura

HANA Steals the Show, Mrs. GREEN APPLE Shocks with Surprise Appearance at “MAJ” Awards

Gorō Inagaki Seen in High Spirits on Six-Hour Ginza Bar Crawl, Embracing Bachelor Life

35 Years After Tokyo Love Story, Akiko Sendō Is Thriving as a Trendy Auntie in Hokkaido

Inside the Battle for Power: The Best Dramas About Ambition, Loyalty, and Survival

Their Greatest Enemy Isn’t the Competition—It’s the Organization Itself

“Stage and Screen Are Completely Different”—Kotaro Yoshida Reflects on 50 Years of Acting

“Mariko-sama Never Felt Like Me”—Mariko Shinoda Opens Up About Life as an AKB48 Icon

Was a Pickpocket Ring Behind It? The Bizarre Courtroom Behavior of a Chinese Defendant

“I Want People to See My New Curves”—Kana Nakada Talks About Her Latest Photo Shoot

Confusion Surrounds ‘WEST.’ for Becoming ‘Idols You Can Meet’… Why Fans Are So Reluctant to Take ‘Two-Shot Photos’

It all started with a visit to a mansion… Before I knew it, “Wow!” had become my catchphrase: “Field Work and Me” by Hidehiko Ishizuka of “Honjama-ka”

“It Wasn’t One-Sided”: The “Distance” Between Former Janpoke Member Shinji Saito and His Wife, Saori Seto, Who “Defended” Him

Love Scoop! Kento Nagao and Former E-girls Star Rio Inagaki Enjoy Low-Key Izakaya Date

“Sapporo Links Who I Was at 18 and Who I Am Today”—Ai Kanda Reflects on a Lifelong Connection

Yu Aoi Returns to Primetime After 18 Years—Exclusive Look at Her Fully Immersed on Set

Inside Arashi’s Farewell Concert—The Real Reason for the Strict Media Blackout

Fans Buzzing After Shocking Report Suggests Mrs. GREEN APPLE May Crash MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN

A Lost Kiss With Yosuke Eguchi and a New Life in Hokkaido—Akiho Sendo Speaks Out

“His Words Changed My Life”—Kumiko Endo Reflects on the Advice From Kenichi Hagiwara That Led Her to Love Acting

“There’s Only One Time for This”—Rena Kato Opens Up About Her Life as a Rising Gravure Star

“I Turned Pale When I Saw the Budokan”—Prosecutors Seek Two-Year Prison Term in Def Tech’s Micro Cocaine Case

“I Never Felt Comfortable Being ‘Mariko-sama'”—Mariko Shinoda Reflects on Her AKB48 Glory Days